The field has been set for another historic run of the richest horse race held on dirt in Canada.

The 78th Prince of Wales stakes race is this Tuesday at the Fort Erie Race Track and on Saturday afternoon, the draw was held to determine post positions for the eight horses competing.

The draw's special guest of honour was Sam McComb, who race announcer Mike Dimoff referred to as a legend around the 116-year-old border oval.

"He has too many accomplishments we can cover here today," said Dimoff.

McComb is a decorated jockey who won the Prince of Wales stakes race in 1965, atop Good Ol' Mort.

He remembers heading into the race unsure of how the horse would perform, but after crossing the finish it was one of his most memorable moments in his career.

"He wasn't the soundest of horses. But it was a perfect day," said McComb.

The 84-year-old who retired from horse-racing in 1979, says he is honoured to have been invited as the post position draw-master because the Fort Erie Race Track is a place so near to his heart.

"I love this place," he said.

With so much uncertainty surrounding the future of horse tracks in Ontario on an annual basis for the last few years, McComb said Fort Erie sets the example of how they should be operated.

"It's very encouraging, what I've seen this year but these politicians need to get their act together. With a change in government, you'll see things change for the better," said McComb, who will also be autographing posters on Tuesday to raise money for the Fort Erie SPCA.

There is a $500,000 purse for the race on Tuesday, the first time it hasn't been held on a Sunday.

It is the second jewel of the Canadian Triple crown, but seeing a trainer win all three races (Prince of Wales, Queen's Plate, Breeders' Stakes) will not happen this year.

Nick Gonzalez, a trainer from Fort Erie, won the Queen's Plate with Midnight Aria three weeks ago at Woodbine but has decided not to enter the horse in Tuesday's stakes race.

Although, he will have a horse entered named River Seven.

There are nine races on the card for the day, starting at 4: 15 p.m.

The Prince of Wales stakes race is the eighth and will come out of the gate with a post-time of 7:47 p.m.